Thousands of steelworkers at the Anglo-Dutch steel giant Corus have held protests all over Europe.

During a one-hour protest which started at noon, angry workers waved red cards, imitating football referees, calling for the immediate resignation of Corus chairman Sir Brian Moffat.

Michael Leahy, general secretary of the Iron and Steel Trade Confederation, told the BBC: "He (Sir Brian Moffat) sacked half the workforce... He has brought a Premier League company to Conference League within a matter of four years."

He added: "One of the reasons why the company is in its present state is because he did not consult with the Dutch workforce, or the supervisory board, about the sale of aluminium and as a consequence that deal did not go through."

In search of new blood

When approached by BBC News Online for comment, Corus said it announced a few weeks ago that Sir Brian was to retire once a new chairman and chief executive were found.

But the ISTC said it did not want Sir Brian to be involved with the picking of new management, nor with future plans for the company because he no longer had any credibility with the workforce.

A Corus spokesman said more details on the UK restructuring plans would be announced "in a matter of weeks", once the board had completed a strategy review.

"Corus has every intention to consult the unions about this," he said, reacting to claims by the union it had not been given any details on plant closures.